Macca

Warner has played test cricket for less than 4 years and has already hit 15 centuries (including 12 centuries in the last 24 months) The way players are extending their career's these days he could end up playing for another 8 years (at least) So how many centuries all up? 40? More? He could easily get another two or three 100's this summer alone ... then we go to New Zealand early next year for another 2 tests. As for this test ... another fizzer of a contest by the looks of it. It could get even more one-sided when we play the Windies (Gayle, Bravo, Sammy and 1 or 2 others are playing in the big bash instead) CA really needs to find a way for either England, South Africa or India to be here playing tests every summer. We know the South Africans won't come here over Xmas but 4 tests could easily be scheduled for mid/late Oct through to mid/late Nov. As it stands, South Africa and Pakistan are here next summer but this year's scheduling lacks real drawing power. We don't play South Africa nearly enough anyway ... and when we do it's for 3 tests only (generally) The Ashes home & away could be played over 3 years instead of 4 and having a strong team like India here every 3 years would create a lot of interest.

You get out & about a lot nutbean ... good on ya mate. Gotta take a bite out of life I say. The following song was featured on the latest opisode of Fargo (season 2) The show itself is stupendously good and I highly recommend it but the music that accompanies the show is first rate as well. A little different for this thread but what the hell ...

Bridgewater cleared to play? I heard he passed the first concussion test but it was a decent blow he received. I reckon he's being used well and the Vikings have a very even game because of it ... 6 & 2 is a very good start, all things considered. As I mentioned earlier, Rodgers has needed to thread the eye of the needle to find his WR's this season and that's a hard thing to sustain ... we really need a strong running game to be a threat and we're up and down in that area. Plus, our opposition are getting too much of the ball which is putting pressure on our average defense. We're the sort of team that needs to score a lot of points to win games against decent opposition - that's entirely possible of course. When we're on our game, we're always a threat ... but, there's any number of sides that we could say that about. Anyway, 2 points are up for grabs this week in the comp and here's the week 10 games (man, the season is going quickly - again!)

It's like deja vu all over again with the Packers & Vikings cfh (it was 3 years ago actually - how time flies) The game in 2 weeks has suddenly become an ultra important one. If your blokes can eke out a win at Oakland next week then our match-up will have a lot riding on it. Are Dallas completely out of it now? Even with Romo back they still have to go to Green Bay and they also host the Panthers in 3 weeks. All the same, they'd still need to win at least 7 of their last 8 games to make it you'd reckon. In my opinion it's now down to the Eagles or Giants.

No one pick up any points in the comp ... next week we play for 2 points again (I'll post up the week 10 schedule tomorrow) Tipping Comp Points Table 5 - Gorgoroth 4 - JV7 3 - cowboy_from_ hell Georgiou R.R. Martin 1 - titan_uranus Macca 0 - Everyone else

On the road you'd reckon you'd have to go for it ... I take it that Atlanta didn't get the ball back? Haven't seen the highlights yet.

I'd expect the Kiwi's to fight things out from here on in but they'll need a lot more rain to avoid defeat. More rain is forecast for today and tomorrow and bad light might come into it as well. Hazlewood has bowled without luck in this test ... the selectors might rotate him and Siddle this summer but I'd be giving Hazlewood as many games as possible. The batting order suddenly has some stability to it ... the Sheffield Shield system continues to replenish the team just when many might have predicted that the team could have struggled for a while. Of course, it's only 1 test but we look to be getting back on track. Well done to Burns & Khawaja on their maiden test centuries. Warner is getting better and better ... not only is he a hard man to dislodge now but he continues to churn out the big shots.

Dallas without Romo are a below average team whilst the Eagles aren't too bad. I wouldn't be putting any real money on Philadelphia though Atlanta are probably the only road team who "should" win ... the rest of it is a crap-shoot.

Giants Atlanta Eagles

Tape? Cassette recorder? I was too young to appreciate GTK back then but still watched it occasionally out of curiosity ... Bellbird should have been screened later in the night as a perfect cure for insomniacs. What about "Take Kerr with Graham Kerr" ... a forerunner to Masterchef?

A few of the pundits reckon that because Kaepernick is not great throwing out of the pocket, the other teams have stopped his run and have blitzed him more - I haven't watched the niners games but a similar tactic was used on RG3. All the same, it's a remarkable fall from grace considering he took the 49ers to 3 x NFC Championship games and a SB. He may or may not get back but Cards is on the money with regards to the 49ers almost certainly cutting their losses. It's not all his fault of course because San Francisco as a team are struggling in a lot of areas. Not sure that Gabbert is going to make much of a difference.

Week 9 games 7mate games (Monday) 5.00am - Packers @ Panthers 8.30am - Broncos @ Colts 12.30pm - Eagles @ Cowboys Tipping Comp Points Table 5 - Gorgoroth 4 - JV7 3 - cowboy_from_ hell Georgiou R.R. Martin 1 - titan_uranus Macca 0 - Everyone else .

Here's a couple from the GTK days ...

Mostly retro of late Earl ... here's a blast from the past from 'Ayers Rock'. Can't recall if I saw them live but might have done ... another progressive rock band/jazz fusion.

Well, we got a close one - Luck was awful early and then came good. Newton was good without being outstanding ... ran with the ball well but he cops some hits. The Colts now lead the AFC South with a 3 & 5 record. Panthers 7 & 0 to join 3 AFC teams with the same record.

The Vikes are playing well and the first of the Packers/Vikes clashes is in Minnesota (in a few weeks) ... even though Green Bay have played quite well all year Rodgers has struggled to find open WR's (highlighted in the game against Denver) Rodgers can thread the eye of a needle but it's a bit of a flawed strategy against the best teams. Up until the Denver game our running game and defense has been reasonably good as well - but that part of our game hasn't previously been our strength and I'm not sure it can be relied on ... next week @ Carolina will probably test all facets of the Packers game. I'm much happier when Lacy and to a lesser extent Starks are impacting. Plus, we need to get much better on run defense. The good news is that there are not too many really good teams in the NFC ... despite their W/L records, I'm not entirely convinced with the Panthers, Arizona or Atlanta. Others with poorer records might be more of a threat (Seattle, Giants, Saints) If Dallas sneak in they could be dangerous (Romo has been missed) Both the Rams and Vikes have real opportunities to make the playoffs but as always, it's another fascinating season with any number of teams capable of making it through to January. By contrast 3 of the 4 divisions in the AFC seem to be decided already & the Colts could conceivably win their division with only 8 wins. Looking forward to today's game - hope it's close.

Watched the game and Denver were just far too good - in all areas. Their D was what stood out though - Elway, Peyton and that crew are getting it done with a terrific overall game. The overall numbers for the Packers were abysmal ... Denver probably should have won by a lot more. Rodgers running for 31 yards was about the only positive (if that can be classed as a positive) Still, it's only one loss and I'm sure the team will bounce back ... I've said it before but I believe that Rodgers is the type of QB who needs to play every week. He gets out of whack after a bye or a week off. The Vikes keep winning too and they're now 3 & 0 within the NFC North. As for the Falcons, I didn't see the game but that's a costly loss with the Panthers playing so well - if Carolina win tomorrow they might prove difficult to peg back. After tomorrow they next host the Packers in an early Sunday game.

We have a new leader in the tipping comp ... Gorgoroth was lucky enough to pick up 2 points whilst most of the rest were put out of the running for points by the Packers. The curse of winning this comp is at work again too - previous winners have bombed out the following year and this year seems no different. At a guess I reckon 10 or 11 points will win and there's about 14 points left on offer. Leaderboard 5 - Gorgoroth 4 - JV7 3 - cowboy_from_ hell Georgiou R.R. Martin 1 - titan_uranus Macca 0 - Everyone else

The Royals rally in the 8th ... that Murphy error was very costly. Edit: 2 more chances for the Mets to get a win ... against the renowned strength of the Royals bullpen. .

Yep, watching as well. Early(ish) call on their bullpen though, all the same. And ... the Mets score! Edit: that's 2 home runs to Conforto in this game now ... high impact if we don't see a lot of scoring from here on in. .

Mets on the board ... excellent win too. The margins & order of winners of all 3 games decided so far are exactly identical to the '86 series won by the Mets. All the same, it's imperative that New York win game 4 ... falling behind 1-3 would be hard to come back from. .

Giants Seattle Green Bay

This week isn't any easier to find 3 road winners either (see post #3405 above) ... but at least there's a few big match-ups we can look forward to watching ... Packers @ Denver (SNF) & Indianapolis @ Carolina (MNF) probably being the pick of the games. Friday's game could be interesting though and the Seattle @ Dallas (Early) & Giants @ Saints (Late on 7mate) games holds real interest. The 49ers @ Rams is the early game on 7mate. We've got another London game as well (Lions @ KC) Big numbers viewed last week's live stream on yahoo. Probably the best line-up of games for the season so far ... certainly better than the last few weeks.

Week 8 games (2 points on offer this week) Weeks 10, 13, 15 & 17 are also bonus weeks with week 17 worth 3 points. So ... there's still time for those outside of the top 4 to catch up. Once again, here's the points tally ... 4 - JV7 3 - Gorgoroth cowboy_from_ hell Georgiou R.R. Martin 1 - titan_uranus Macca 0 - Everyone else

Well that went on for a bit ... We might get more of the same too ... 2 evenly matched teams like this promises at least 6 games you'd reckon. Can't see a 4-1 result considering we're back in New York for the middle 3 games. Here are the highlights from game 1